Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir Rishikesh – Guide
Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir Rishikesh is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the Gods of the Holy Trinity of Hinduism along with Brahma and Vishnu. Lord Shiva is depicted here with a blue throat which is related to him consuming the poison that came out of ‘Sagar Manthan’. Located in the holy city of Rishikesh in the Uttarakhand district of India, it is situated at an altitude of 1330 meters overlooking the Nar-Narayan mountain range.
History of this Temple
Hindu myths and legends trace the origin of Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir Rishikesh to the time when Lord Shiva consumed the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean. The temple was built to celebrate this auspicious occasion and Lord Shiva was named ‘Neelkanth’ as his throat turned blue. The main shrine in the temple courtyard houses a Shiva Lingam.
The grand façade of the temple is a sight to behold and the architectural beauty of the temple is so overwhelming that it attracts many admirers. The Samudra Manthan is full of depictions of gods and goddesses, which have been painted tastefully in a colorful and aesthetic style. The evocative colors and intricate architecture are a visual treat that captivates visitors. The grand sanctum sanctorum houses a grand life-size idol of goddess Parvati seated near the entrance.
Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir Rishikesh Timings
Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir Rishikesh opens all days in a week from 6:00 AM in the morning to 9:00 PM in the evening.
| Saturday | 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM, Aarti: 08:00 AM |
| Sunday | 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM, Aarti: 08:00 AM |
| Monday | 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM, Aarti: 08:00 AM |
| Tuesday | 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM, Aarti: 08:00 AM |
| Wednesday | 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM, Aarti: 08:00 AM |
| Thursday | 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM, Aarti: 08:00 AM |
| Friday | 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM, Aarti: 08:00 AM |
Places to visit near this Temple
Triveni Ghat
Triveni Ghat, situated on the banks of river Ganga, is the place of confluence of three holy rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. These rivers are considered exceptionally holy and pure in Hinduism.
Vashishtha Cave
Vashishtha Cave is an ancient cave where sage Vashishtha, the human son of Lord Brahma meditated. According to legends, the sage was extremely depressed after losing all his children and decided to commit suicide, but the river Ganges did not let him die.
River Rafting
If you like adventure and want to enjoy something out-of-the-box, then you can enjoy rafting in Rishikesh. A large number of tourists visit Rishikesh especially for rafting.
Also Read: Baba Garib Nath Mandir Himachal timings, History, Travel guide and How to reach
How to reach Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir Rishikesh
By Air- The nearest airport from Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir Rishikesh is Dehradun which is at a distance of 49 km from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services or taxi.
By Train- The nearest railway station from Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir is Rishikesh railway station which is at a distance of 22 km from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services or taxi.
By Road- Roads to this temple are well connected with the other cities of the country so you can easily reach this temple by using your own vehicle or by any public buses or taxi from any part of the country.
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